Haaniella dehaanii
(Westwood, 1859) PSG N°126
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Phasmatodea
Family: Heteropterygidae
Subfamily: Heteropteryginae
Genre: Haaniella
Haaniella dehaanii is a massive, spiny stick insect. This species is native to Borneo, Southeast Asia.
Adult females are massive and about 10 cm tall. They are brown in colour and have two small, darker, non-functional wings. They also have a light brown to beige triangular area in front of their wings. When disturbed, they can make a screeching sound by rubbing their wings together.
The male is smaller, less massive, and measures about 7 cm. It is dark brown in color and has spines. Like the female, it has a light brown to beige area, but this time at the level of the wings.
The young, when hatched, measure about 2 to 3 cm and are dark brown to black. It is possible to sex them at the third moult. From birth, they already have long antennae and sometimes the same white spot as the adults.
The eggs are brown, barrel-shaped, and measure 7 mm long and 5 mm wide. Like most Haaniella species, they have short, fine hairs that give them the appearance of having a velvety surface.
Simple breeding species but incubation and cycle quite long . Incubation lasts 7 to 10 months and its development 8 to 11 months.
However, Haaniella Dehaanii live quite a long time, around 8 months for the male and sometimes more than a year for the female.
For the eggs:
Provide an incubation box. We recommend our micro-perforated boxes with lids . Then you place vermiculite on half the height of the box. You moisten it and place the eggs inside.
For young people:
Either you raise them with the adults or you raise them separately. You will therefore have to use the same model of terrarium as the adults but of a smaller size.
The floor of the terrarium will be covered with damp paper towels to maintain good humidity and make it easier to maintain the terrarium.
We recommend that you create hiding places by adding bark to the terrarium.
For adults:
Minimum (recommended) height of the terrarium: 2.5 times the size of the adult female.
The size of the terrarium will depend on the number of specimens. For example, for 3 or 4 specimens, plan a terrarium of 30cm x 30cm x 45cm for example. It is important to have sufficient height for moulting.
In addition, the terrarium must be partially ventilated . For example, with only one side made of mesh and the others made of glass. This will help maintain sufficient humidity.
The floor of the terrarium will be covered with damp paper towels to maintain good humidity and make it easier to maintain the terrarium.
For the female Haaniella dehaanii to lay eggs, a nest box must be provided, i.e. a box with at least 6/7 cm of organic potting soil, vermiculite, peat, sand or a mixture with these elements. A shallow container is therefore required so that the laying substrate is accessible.
We recommend that you create hiding places by adding bark to the terrarium.
Mainly bramble. But it is also possible to use Pyracantha, Rosebush, Hawthorn, Oak, Beech, Ivy or Eucalyptus.
To do this, you need to arrange the branches in the terrarium by placing the stems in a jar of water (to avoid drowning, be sure to block the entrance to the jar with paper towels, for example).
Renew as soon as the food begins to fade.
Temperature: between 22°C and 25°C.
Humidity:
For the eggs: The incubation medium and the atmosphere must remain humid. To do this, spray a little water whenever necessary. Be careful if it is too dry, either there will be no birth, or the young may not be able to come out of the egg completely or will be poorly formed.
For young: Humid atmosphere required, approximately 70/90% humidity. Be careful if it is too dry, the moults will be missed. Humidity can be provided by the food plant thanks to the foliage. Otherwise, you must spray a little water as soon as necessary.
For adults: Humid atmosphere required, about 70/80% humidity. They can tolerate slightly lower humidity. Humidity can be provided by the food plant through the foliage. Otherwise, spray a little water as needed.
Lighting: Lighting is optional if the ambient light is sufficient. Otherwise, additional lighting will be required.
Laying method: The female Haaniella dehaanii buries the eggs in the substrate.
Laying frequency: An adult female can lay about a hundred eggs. Laying only begins 2 months after the last molt.
Egg collection: As soon as possible or each time the terrarium is cleaned and the bottom paper towel is changed. Simply collect the eggs from the substrate.
Incubation time: 7 to 10 months. Care must be taken to maintain good humidity and to ensure that there is no development of mold.
Development time : 7 to 10 months.
Means of defense: --
Reproduction: sexual. The first matings occur several days after the last molt.
Means of defense: This is a species that can sometimes pinch its fingers when it feels threatened (especially the male). Most of the time the female will emit a screeching sound by rubbing its wings.
Activity : --
Lifespan: 10 months to over a year for females! Males seem to live less long: about 8 months.
